Despite having all the good Shimano shifty bits, the full-length and low-cost Jagwire cables that connected them didnt do them justice. Of all the GRX bikes on test, this one shifted with the worst lever feel. All of our reviews show the quality of our bikes, including frame design, production, and specs.. And 2 years ago, the company hired Zach Spinhirne-Martin, a senior buyer at CompetitiveCyclist.com. Terms of Use For bikes, Walmart has historically been an opening price point mass vendor, as Spinhirne-Martin put it. For the last update and a link to the introductions, Click Here. Speaking of rocks, the Viathons ride quality is certainly on the stiffer end of things, and those thin seatstays werent able to tame as much as the Salsa Warbird or even the Stigmata. About Us | Not surprisingly, its something we got along with well on the Santa Cruz. While everyone seems to be hung up about the Walmart partnership, its a bit of a superficial distraction to the companys larger goal. Managing editor Dean Yobbi told the story in BRAIN's May dead . I pitched the idea to my management as a way to more quickly enter the market and change our perception, he said. Join Outside+ to get complete access to exclusive content on VeloNews, training plans for road and gravel, and more. Viathon opted for a low-geared 46-30T chainring matched with a 11-34T cassette. A few months later in June, we got to take the M1 hardtail for a spin in Idaho. With a trendy 25 mm internal width, the welded alloy rims are wider than they are deep. Equally, I found the Selle Italia Novus Boost saddle and unpadded Fizik bar tape odd choices. The stiffness of the Viathon G1 is where the bike feels like its ready to be more competitive as a gravel race bike, rather than something for adventure. A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine But heres the kicker. With both, you get two great carbon bikes, that differ when you break down the components. go tubeless they said it will be fun they said. Those interested in this bike should also take a close look at the Canyon. So how does this budget-friendly racer ride? [trail] Now on to the final word on this carbon fiber crushed rock roller. Members get 15+ publications right in your pocket. Viathon Bikes Drop Prices & Become Available Through Walmart In fact, the only example I can think of where a large outside brand has achieved even modest success is Dorel Industries, with its serial purchases of Pacific, Cannondale, Schwinn, GT and related brands. Walmart hopes its own expensive bike will be proof of concept to attract mainstream brands to that marketplace brands that previously opted out, like Evil and Niner, which are both sold at Walmart-owned Moosejaw.com. Competitor Discount Codes: Get Up To $200 Off With These Viathon Bicycles Competitor Coupons for Bicycle Components (March 2023) See Competitor Codes. The Viathon is best suited for XC terrain unless youve got some real moxie to take it down some gnar. That frame (which is also sold separately at US$1,498) is no open-mould cookie-cutter thing either. Were partnering with the bike industry to deliver so we dont mess it up, said Spinhirne-Martin. But what was remarkable about Viathon was the identity of the brand's owner: Walmart. August. Well, unfortunately, we had numerous issues with the build quality and were not sure if this is an issue of the actual bike, or simply an attack of the photo sample. Spinhirne-Martin says Walmart is launching with the hardtail to fill in holes in what they already offer on the Walmart.com marketplace. Are bike shopsscary, elitist, and unwelcoming? $200 Off Viathon Bicycles Coupon (2 Promo Codes) Mar 2023 But the collaboration shouldnt come as a surprise. M.1 | XX1 Eagle AXS; M.1 | XX1 Eagle ; M.1 | X01 Eagle ; . Complete builds start at $2,300, and top out at $3,500 for the gravel models and around $6,000 for the road and mountain bikes. As mentioned, this is the lowest-cost complete bike in Viathons G.1 range, but that doesnt mean the parts are low-cost. The handlebars could have been wider, with a shallower drop, and an extra helping of bar tape would have also been welcome. He proposed a private-label project, and hes bringing it to fruition. The R.1 feels like a high-end bike, except for one minor nitpick: While most high-end race bikes have taken great efforts to hide all cables, the R.1 has all four cables exposed around the cockpit. Either way, its there as an intended feature. And then to be a little petty, our sample came with silver stainless steel bolts covering the various bidon, fender, and rack mounts. 2023 All rights reserved. MSRP on the G1 with SRAM Rival 1 is $2498.00 USD. Garmin Garmin Edge 1030 Bundle. NAHBS photos: Show winners and their bikes, Cervlo S5 review: A truly exhilarating superbike, Technical FAQ: Mips vs. loose helmet strap, bike weight, hydraulic brakes at altitude, Di2 mix/match. As I rode the G1 down some green- and blue-rated trails, the straight and narrow bars stuffed my wrists into an uncomfortable position. Viathon G.1 105 First Ride Review | Road Bike, Cycling Forums Viathons product manager, Zach Spinhirne-Martin, openly admits to taking close inspiration from a race-inspired bike like the Santa Cruz Stigmata. Heres what it felt like to interact with the R.1. Check Out Continue Shopping. It's a full carbon gravel bike with modern geometry, an understated look, and a price that's refreshingly affordable. So far, Viathon isnt saying much about what makes its bikes different, nor is it telling much of a brand story. It's been just about four months since a line of consumer-direct carbon road, gravel and mountain bikes premiered from a new brand called Viathon, emerging out of the bright Sea Otter sunshine like the goddess Athena springing full-formed from the forehead of Zeus. Walmart Says Its High-End Viathon Bikes Will Grow Cycling Further build quality issues included the GRX brakes being over-filled with fluid, something that resulted in an uncomfortably short lever throw. Its also worth noting that Viathon designs their own frames, as opposed to using open molds. I hit small drops and jumps on multiple runs. Getting this bike moving fast was intimidating. The Viathon G1 is a bike that is a high performance machine with a good set of components out of the box. | Get This Deal. Industry watchers may remember the last time Walmart tried to get into the carbon bike game, which as I recall was about ten years ago. And every single article, including this one, focuses on the Walmart ownership. Certainly, Walmart has the resources to overcome that, if it chooses, and it also has a reach like few other companiesWalmart sells more bicycles in North America than any other retailer, according to industry analyst Jay Townley. Viathon's goals seem to be crystal clear with the R.1: Build a race-ready road bike for a high-end audience without the high-end price tag. Widgets, Explore Viathon Photo. The other risk is the warranty. Fortunately for Viathon, the R.1 has a quality spec and a respectable though not exactly inspiring ride quality. Almost all carbon frames come from Asia, and different brands often subcontract with the same large producers. It confidently climbed over gravel, roots, and rocks. The Best Black Friday Deals for Cyclists - Bicycling The terrain varies from flowy cross-country trail to downhill-inspired gravity tracks. The bike thats getting the most attention is Viathons new hardtail mountain bike, though Walmart is also launching with road and gravel options. So were considering lateral stiffness, vertical compliance, weight, ride feel, cornering stability, and even the finish. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. I am a professional mechanic, and have a hand built over 175 custom frames from steel or Ti. But rather than going out and buying the exact same flashy and high-end items, theyve sourced out the look-a-likes. Sign up to receive GearJunkie content direct to your inbox. The head tube feels firmly connected to the bottom bracket, and that to the rear axle. In other words, it was in the business of making inexpensive bikes made for the mass market. Thanks to its featherlight framea mere 2.2 poundsthe Viathon was a dream to pedal. And failing. As I mentioned above, customers might be able to swap out the bars for something wider that will flex more, but the narrow 430mm bars clobbered my hands going over rough terrain. With Walmart backing this brand, we can engage in a bike segment other brands wont touch.. They are a close second to full-suspension in terms of dollars, but hardtail mountain bikes make for a significantly larger share in terms of units sold. With 11 out of the 12 bikes tested at Field Test having some iteration of GRX on it, youll know by now that it just works. And they certainly didnt skimp out on components. Said to be a pre-production photo sample, our tester came equipped with a long 110 mm stem, wide 440 mm bars, and 20 mm setback seatpost. Review: Viathon G.1 Carbon Gravel Bike - Cyclocross Magazine A. Kudos to them, but that story stretches back some 15 years and is still far from over. [, Re: Did Wal Mart pull the plug on Viathon? A 69.5-degree head angle and 73.6-degree seat tube angle are what many brands had a few years ago. Full carbon frame and fork. Certainly, there are many Walmart shoppers among us, though likely few who have bought a bike there. I really like the geometry, I was looking for a cyclocross bike that fits wide tires and have 3 bottle mounts, and this fit the bill really well. $6,000 Walmart Bike: Box Store Launches Premium 'Viathon' Cycles My time was limited to two hours, so this isnt an exhaustive review. Something like these Spank Vibrocore gravel bars we tested would certainly take the edge off. Walmart.com, of course, is an internet behemoth with hundreds of millions of visitor sessions each month with peak holiday traffic topping half a billion, according to analyses by industry research firms SimilarWeb and Statista. Viathon G.1 Gravel Bike | Viathon Bikes by Walmart And if you did want a different saddle or bartape, then they could probably arrange that, too (at a cost). Should brick-and-mortar or other online retailers worry? Calf muscle pull or tear? Also what is the complete weight? When you need the fastest road bike, mountain-climbing bike, or racing bike, look to Viathon. And the two price points for Dura Ace and Ultegra place the Viathon alongside some of the budget-friendly racing bikes from Canyon that feature equally impressive component specs. For starters, despite its slim tube shape and dropped seat stays, the R.1 is definitely less compliant than expected. Read more. Equipped with a SRAM XO1 Eagle drivetrain that shifts seamlessly, Stans 29 carbon wheels, and an FSA K-force carbon handlebar, this thing was designed to climb. In this case, carbon doesnt work entirely to its benefit, and the G1 is a little overly stiff, and calls at least for a more compliant set of handlebars. 20% Off. Except none of that happened. Viathon expects stock on these bikes sometime this Fall. Per my more enduro-focused background, Id also opt for a shorter stem. The question is, what sets it apart from other high-end bikes at this pricepoint or higher, if anything? Usually, they can change the bar width, stem length, and crank length, but Viathon hasnt been able to do this during the pandemic because of supply chain issues, and its not clear yet when theyll be able to offer this option again. Steering responsiveness feels more akin to an endurance or aero bike than that of an all-around bike. The bikes launched last April, and when word got out that Walmart was quietly supporting the brand, it caused quite the stir. I loved how this bike rides, said Spinhirne-Martin about the previous generation Stigmata. Join Outside+ to get Outside magazine, access to exclusive content, 1,000s of training plans, and more. Basically, just a gravel bike. Any Canadians with/had a hip labral tear here? The Viathon G1 is one of the more affordable carbon, gravel bikes that's well suited to riding sketchy roads. Enter your email for the top stories in mountain biking, plus product picks and deals delivered to your inbox each week. Some bikes immediately bear their souls to its rider. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. Viathons goals seem to be crystal clear with the R.1: Build a race-ready road bike for a high-end audience without the high-end price tag. Though a cross-country bike, the Viathon gave confidence and control through almost every session on the U.P. But Quan is the only person mentioned in a team of top bicycle industry veterans with decades of collective experience. The only other real face behind Viathon is brand manager Zach Spinhirne-Martin, who spent nine years with the online retailer Competitive Cyclist before joining Walmart as its bike category manager. Gravel as a discipline also seems to be a little more straightforward than mountain biking, where there are countless sub-genres of bikes. Its wise to see if that character fits with yours. The Zipp Service Course stem, handlebar and seatpost are in the same camp: quality, name-brand components with a proven track record. For cycling-specific recommendations, check out our favorite tech deals at Walmart too. Buyers have 60 days from purchase to return the bike, and it can be new or used. In some cases the customers know exactly what they want, but if they dont then the service agent can help determine whats best by running through a few questions about the rider and desired riding position.. $$$ Outdoor & Sporting Goods Company Privacy Policy Photos See all Videos See all 0:11 Passers-by wont be able to spot the difference between the two, but those that own the high-end stuff will know. I wondered, who is the target audience for Viathon bikes? Here are some features to keep in mind as you shop. Lets look at the numbers. This bike has character, like all bikes do. Walmart Viathon Bikes - New Walmart Bikes 2019 - Bicycling The answer? This bike isnt perfect and its not as good as the bike its inspired by, but none of that really matters when you consider the US$2,300 pricetag. Earlier this year, Viathon Bicycles launched with a direct-to-consumer business model and a catalog of high-end carbon bicycles, taking an approach similar to the one Canyon has used. But when people saw these bikes here, it was like, 'Hey, these are real bikes! The average person is a Walmart shopper, he says. Without the curiousness of the Walmart link, I wouldnt even be writing about Viathon. Ten minutes of testing was enough for me to spin around and swap in my preferred Specialized Phenom. Tire clearance is on the narrower side, but its wide enough for 700x40c tires, or 2.1 width tires with a 650B diameter. When compared to its fellow direct-to-consumer brands like Canyon, the price point doesnt really feel that out of the ordinary. But Viathon's G.1 GRX 800 is light, fast, and sporty, and costs much less than its competitors. Turner Bikes - Titanium Mountain & Gravel Bikes Born To Perform Turner Bikes COME SEE US AT THE 2023 SEA OTTER CLASSIC, APRIL 20th - 23rd at Booth B15 & Meet our newest bike - The Scrub! [natethomas] Walmarts immense buying power and pre-existing online sales channel means that for just US$2,298 (shipped, within the United States), this new brand can offer a full-carbon gravel bike equipped with quality components, including a Shimano GRX 600 groupset, Mercury G3C tubeless wheels, and Zipp Service Course cockpit components. For sure we are also undergoing huge changes; times are tough now and likely to get tougher before they get better. Pretty, pretty, good . Over the past several years, Canyon Bikes has gotten attention for its direct-to-consumer model that allows it to sell high-end bikes at competitive price points. Support us! Currently, the bikes are not available in other markets. "Of course, there was some backlash with the Walmart connection,'' said Mark Jordan, whose CrankTank marketing group staged the Viathon launch and was quoted in Yobbi's original article. Crickets. They seem to offer a solid value for a full carbon bike. I like my bikes to jump when I stand up and crank down on the pedals. Still others are simply doing their best to sort through the marketing-speak to make a performance-to-value calculation on the best tool to get on the roador into the woods. The history of the bicycle business is, in one sense, a history of powerful outsiders coming in to teach us dumb yokels how things are done in the Big Leagues. Heading out the door? Filter bikes by year, weight, components, price, and performance. Sign up to receive GearJunkie content direct to your inbox. Why Ultralight People Need to Chill Already, Kershaw Iridium Review: A Great Flipping Knife Under $100. Many of their arguments I can support, like lower costs and lighter frames, but claiming that full-suspension is often just overkill is a bit bold. However, there were a few things that stood out to me while cruising through a pretty punchy section of Sun Valley singletrack. With a feathery weight, effective geometry, and componentry to rival the best bikes on the market, the M.1 is a relevant consideration for serious riders with a cross-country bent." Nope: while the bikes its offering look to be good quality and competitively priced, the reason that Viathons entry turned heads is whos behind it: Walmart. Did Viathon offer some bold new technology,jaw-dropping value, or an irresistible brand story? Please enter your public display name and a secure password. Sadly the provided stem length and seatpost setback werent an ideal fit for the bike, or us. The frames are engineered and designed in partnership with Kevin Quan, a longtime designer whos responsible for well-known bikes from well-known brands like Cervelo, Parlee, and Pivot. Had Viathon hit the market five years ago with this narrative, it would have owned the high-end-value space. One, the fact the writer states that his review is skewed because he is an enduro rider. And the bikes look good! Releasing some fluid from the system remedied this, but we can only hope production bikes dont need the same treatment. Additionally, two of Walmarts heirs, Tom and Steuart Walton, are cycling fanatics. GearJunkie Copyright 2013 2023. I understand the reviewer had limited time on the bike, but there is no real detail on how the bike rode. Thats not to say this bike is cheap. But thats not necessarily a bad thing. That's a lot to love. But don't count the traditional players out yet, on either the supply or retail ends of the supply chain. In many ways, this is exactly what a good bike store would do for you when buying a bike. Home; Shop. Viathon's G.1 carbon gravel bike is Walmart's attempt to capture some of the high-end, direct-to-consumer bicycle market. According to Spinhirne-Martin, Walmart is not currently planning store-based service departments. I want to figure out how to use that customer base to grow the bike industry.. In an interview last week at Sea Otter, a bicycling industry gathering in Monterey, Calif. I came to Walmart to grow the bike industry. 100 competitor promo codes - Last used 11m ago. In so many ways, the Viathon is like the middle manager whos tried to mimic their boss style on a tight budget. The brand is starting with three models: the R1 road bike, the G1 gravel bike, and the M1 hardtail mountain bike. However, what cant be argued with is that the law of diminishing returns certainly plays a large role in premium products, and Viathon has done a damn good job of showing that. Originally from Northern CA, home for me has ranged from the PNW to a teepee in Grand Teton National Park. That would really skew the handling. So whats not to like? The M1 carbon hardtail, with a SRAM GX Ealge driveterain comes in at a bargain price of $2,200, with the top-level SRAM AXS electronic drivetrain equipped model hitting $6,500. Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Well, so much for that. Managing editor Dean Yobbi told the story in BRAIN's May dead-trees issue and online as well. Its for someone who wants to ride the whole mountain, up, down, and everything in between., The new face of a Walmart bike? The GRX 600 is a 211, with a 50/34T up front, and an 11-34T cassette Viathon offers the GRX 800, SRAM Force, and AXS builds in a 1x configuration. Viathon M.1 GX Eagle Mountain Bike Review | SRAM GX EagleI was amazed how light this bike was and how well it climbed!Viathon was kind enough to send me over. If theres a model for how to build a mountain bike community from next to nothing, Bentonville is it. If nothing else, we've been surviving in this business for decades and we know the "easiest way to make a small fortune" in it a lesson which even the best-heeled outsiders have yet to learn. but no links to product pages. The pre-taped tubeless-ready rims are laced with Sapim double-butted spokes to easily-serviced sealed bearing hubs, and all told, they weigh a perfectly reasonable 1,644 g (claimed). Its worth mentioning that I myself am an enduro-style focused mountain biker, and Id be lying if I didnt say that it influenced my overall impression of the bike. This stood out on the mostly black bike and feels like one of those small details that wouldnt be overlooked by more established brands. Not recovering IT Band Friction Syndrome!! Meanwhile, the rear brake hose, which sits loose inside the down tube, had a tendency to rattle against the frame. To get a full carbon gravel bike with a Shimano GRX600 groupset for $2,300 is a pretty sweet deal, although there are still other great deals on gravel bikes, for those who like steel or aluminum. Viathon "believes that great bikes make riding more fun. Perfect Portable Power Station: EcoFlow River 2 Pro Review, Watch Aldo Leopolds Passion for Conservation Take Root in Serve the Land, Best Overland Water Storage Containers for Long-Distance Travel, AI Hiking Bears Fascinate Internet, Scramble Human Brains, Civivi Conspirator Nitro-V Review: The Budget-Friendly Super Steel Youve Never Heard Of, Nissan Frontier PRO-4X Review: Mojave Road Overland Adventure, The Benchmade Narrows Resets the Engineering Bar, A Scope That Performs Without Breaking the Bank: Maven CRS.2 Review, The Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags of 2023, The Best Camping Mattresses and Sleeping Pads of 2023, From a Reclining Camp Chair to Kickass Layers: Best Gifts for Outdoorsy Moms, Best Gifts for Dad: Great Gear for Your Old Man, Best Fitness Gifts: 10 Must-Haves for the Outdoor Athlete. But if Viathon is going to have any real impact, its the next set of new bikes that will matter most. Hip Labrum Repair - How long did yours last? Viathon Bikes launched to surprise, confusion and intrigue back in April, offering high-end carbon XC hardtails despite links to Walmart. Hardtail mountain bikes with front suspension, Viathon notes, are the second-largest category, according to NPD. For the hardtail mountain bike, thats a $2,000 frame, $2,400 GX Eagle build, $3,500 X01 build (which comes without a dropper), or a $6,000 XX1 option. Im not mad, just disappointed. Racers? That tyre clearance is far, far more generous than the 700 x 40 mm (or 650B x 53 mm) wide numbers that Viathon claim. Lets be honest. It can take 650b wheels with up to 2.1-inch tires, or 700c wheels with up to 51mm tires. I just noticed that as well (website pretty much gone). It will be an uphill battle for a brand that could use a bit more personality. He explained, It has less setup and maintenance than a downhill bike, and as an entry point into the industry, this makes an ideal start for us to grow on.. The Viathon G.1? Over mostly flat and undulating terrain, the G1 can actually be a little fun on certain trails, if thats what you enjoy from a gravel bike. It bordered on jarring on frost-heaved pavement, especially in the front end. I can always add larger volume tires and reduce the pressure for additional comfort when riding gravel or chip-seal, but a wet noodle frame is just painful when youre dying climbing for hours in the mountains.. . Best MTB Gear | Viathon Bikes - Walmart.com Last April, when we saw them at Sea Otter, they dropped the G1, R1, and M1 all at once, dipping their toes into the gravel, road, and mountain bike pool. It picks up speed quickly like road bike quick and feels very responsive to cornering and rider input. . We tested the brands top-end M.1 Mountain Bike for 6 weeks to gain an understanding and some first-person perspective on singletrack trails. The bike is not designed for a super short stem. I was excited to try out the G1 to get a better taste of what Viathon as a whole has to offer. Theyre numbers that are ideal for tackling a variety of terrain and doing it all efficiently, and overall, the G.1 behaves like it wants to be the only drop-bar bike in your garage. The Viathon G1 comes in five sizes ranging from 52cm to 60cm in 2cm increments. Viathon is a new direct-to-consumer bike brand owned by Walmart that launched this week with a line of carbon bikes that sell between $2,300 and $6,000. Its what you want in a more race-focussed gravel bike, and in this sense, it gives up very little compared to the likes of the higher-priced Stigmata or Aspero. We are not focusing on the [Walmart] connection but not hiding it either, Spinhirne-Martin said.Spinhirne-Martin said he came up with this bike while living in Park City, Utah, between 2011 and 2017: The bench-cut trails with tons of climbing lent themselves to a light, efficient climber with a bit more up front to smooth out the fast downhills..
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